Kate cast as Barbarella?

Movie producers think that Kate Beckinsale is the perfect choice to play the cult 1960s heroine. The role of Barbarella was made famous by sexpot Jane Fonda in the original 1968 erotic science fiction adventure.

A source told Britain’s Daily Express newspaper, “Jane Fonda made the ‘Barbarella’ role very much her own all those years ago and she is bound to be a tough act to follow. But the feeling is that Kate has just the right combination of beauty, humor, and acting talent for the part.” Other vivacious actresses considered for the part are Sienna Miller, Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry.

Robert Wade and Neal Purvis will write the script for the £55 million project. Peter Webber (“Girl with the Pearl Earring”, “Hannibal Rising”) is set to direct. Producer Dino De Laurentiis said, “The reinvented heroine will be akin to a female James Bond – in outer space.” Barbarella stripped naked before being taken to a mysterious planet in the original film. She had several battles with her enemies as well as sexual experiences in the 1968 erotic thriller.